What was changed
Pietro Salini founded the construction company in 1936; his son Simonpietro entered the business in 1956, started foreign expansion in 1962, and took the reins after his father's death in 1964, pointing the firm at the world, beginning with Africa.
That bet transformed a family firm into a major industrial group. In 2011-2014 the next generation, CEO Pietro Salini, reversed the private company into listed peer Impregilo in one of Europe's most significant financial takeovers, creating Salini Impregilo, renamed Webuild in 2020.
The group's 2023 results were records: revenue of €10 billion, up 22%, net profit of €236 million, an order backlog of €63.7 billion, and operations in more than 50 countries.
What it achieved
Webuild (ex-Salini Impregilo) posted 2023 revenue of €10B, doubled net profit to €236M and a €63.7B order backlog.
Why it worked
Going abroad in 1964 found demand that Italy's domestic market could not offer.
The 2011-2014 Impregilo takeover bought scale and listed-company capital.
A century of engineering DNA let the family firm win large infrastructure contracts.
What can be applied
A family firm's best move can be exporting its craft: the 1964 bet on Africa became a global infrastructure leader.
Aftermath
Webuild continued consolidating Italy's construction sector through Progetto Italia, integrating Astaldi and others, and acquired Australia's Clough in 2023.
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The sources
- Our history - Webuild webuildgroup.com
- Webuild beats estimates in 2023, revenues to 10 billion en.ilsole24ore.com
- Morto Simonpietro Salini, aveva 92 anni corrieredellumbria.it
- Italy's Salini eyes foreign growth after Impregilo merger marketscreener.com